Forum Topic

Cyclists are wonderful people..

Isn't it great to see that participation in cycling fundraising events has skyrocketed over the last year? A 17% increase in the amount raised from these types of events is fantastic, but even better than that is that these delicious and delightful cycling fundraisers now generate on average more donations than their running counterparts! Take that runners! Instead of cars doing their best to knock people off bikes, car drivers, bus drivers, taxi and truck drivers should take note and love and cherish cyclists much more than they currently do! Come on, we are such wonderful and amazing people raising money for all manner of good causes, why would you want to attack us on forums or whilst driving? Last year we (the royal we!) raised more than £17m - a 17% rise on 2011. And because of that please give us some credit and consideration when we are on the road.

Ben Owen ● 4466d12 Comments

Whatever the statistics, let's all be a little more courteous and considerate of other road users in 2014.

Nigel Brooks ● 4416d

>It's pedestrians who need protection the most You can't make a numeric comparison between cyclist and pedestrian deaths, it's needs to be on percentages, there are many many many more pedestrians on the road at any one time than cyclists.Cyclists are disproportionally represented in KSI numbers on our roads.Notwithstanding that it's the motorised vehicle that kills and injures them both (in comparison with drivers cyclists very very rarely kill or injure pedestrians) and both figures should really be a big fat zero.In the rest of the world the concept of presumed liability is in place. This is where the driver or rider of the bigger class of vehicle has to prove they couldn't have done anything to avoid the crash with the smaller class of vehicle or pedestrian, even if that meant simply slowing down.This video is cycling specific, but it also applies to cyclist or car on ped crashes.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Bq1vxCUvoNow that would focus the mind of the inconsiderate drivers and riders right!?

Paul James ● 4416d

...until they nearly hit you as they run a red light. It's pedestrians who need protection the most (though many do daft things, like all road users). 69 killed last year vs 14 cyclists in London, according to TfL. See:  http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/casualties-in-greater-london-2012.pdf

Terry Jones ● 4417d

It is a great shame etc. that there are a number of inconsiderate and dangerous road users, motorists and cyclists included. There are many many more considerate and careful ones, but they are not news.

Keith Iddon ● 4458d

I agree wholeheartedly. But due to increasing numbers of you taking to the busy roads of London, more and more are being killed by the motor vehicles, who seem to be the villains of the peace. We have to sort-out the selfish and speedy killers of the road.  What's to be done about it?

Gerry Tan ● 4458d

Cyclists have to be really wonderful people to safely follow some of the strange cycle routes set out for them.A picture paints a thousand words.

Philippa Bond ● 4459d

Is there something you've forgotten...yes, self righteousness..;-)

Keith Iddon ● 4466d

Ben, I think it is wonderful that you cycle and promote cycling and safety in cycling and raise money for good causes.However I take issue with your statement that no pedestrian has been killed by a cyclist in L B Ealing.  I don't mean that I know one.  I just think that you mean that no pedestrian's death has been officially attributed to a cyclist as far as you know.Don't deaths have to occur within a certain amount of time to be officially attributed to a cause?I wonder how many lives have been changed for ever because of a bad encounter with a cyclist riding on the pavement or through lights etc?Would that death be attributed to a cyclist/avoiding a cyclist or just to a fall on the pavement/on the crossing etc?    Memo to self: SHOUT LOUDER when these idiots ride up behind fast or part the group of pedestrians using the PEDESTRIAN crossing when the lights are red for road users and green for pedestrian crossing users.These people might ruin our lives (if we still have them) FOR EVER.

Philippa Bond ● 4466d

Apart from myself, why are there only two people who think that cyclists are truly wonderful people? We have qualities such as:Argumentative;Fun, interesting and handsome (surely that makes us irresistible?);Good research skills;Great fundraising abilities;Popular with the likes of Tony Purton;Standing up for the underdog at all times;No pedestrian in LB Ealing has been killed by a cyclist;Is there anything else that I have forgotten? I can't remember!

Ben Owen ● 4466d

No revving from me. Well done to fundraisers is all 'shapes and forms' no matter if they are cyclists or not.

Nigel Brooks ● 4466d

And Mr Tony Purton...

Ben Owen ● 4466d

I hear the loud revving of engines heading rapidly in the direction of this thread.

Sam Salisbury ● 4466d